It’s 7/15/2025 PM

I was remembering my dad this morning as I prepared my breakfast.  I was just a young girl when he taught me how to cook chorizo.

Chorizo is a Mexican spicy mix sausage. I remember my dad teaching me how to cook it and telling me, “Mija, tienes que guisarlo bien, porque es puerco, y si no lo guisas bien te puedes morir.”

He said I needed to cook it thoroughly because it’s pork and if I don’t cook it completely I could die. He was always worrisome. Lol. He made me worrisome. He has passed that trait on to me.

He loved, loved, loved tortillas de maiz. Corn tortillas. Those were his favorite. I think they’re mine too. I always have to include those in my grocery list.

Its a sentimental memory. My Daddy was teaching me how to cook before the Navy did in culinary school. Before my abuelita did. Before both of my ex-husbands did. He was my first teacher.

Foods I Learned To Cook

My Daddy taught me how to cook chorizo.

My abuelita taught me how to cook fried chicken, and menudo.

My first ex-husband had to cook our first turkey. Lol. I didn’t actually cook my first turkey until my early 30’s.

My second ex-husband taught me how to cook yard bird (fried chicken) 🍗 . I also fell in love with barbecue, soul food, and cabbage.

On my own I learned how to make tamales, barbacoa, and al pastor tacos. I learned how to make menudo by asking my abuelita over the phone.

I had asked my mother to teach me how to make tamales, when I was young, but she couldn’t be burdened. It’s too much work she said. And I won’t say I harbor any resentment when I saw her tamalada on Facebook with my sisters. No worries though…I taught myself.

Anyway….

Just reflecting on the wonderful Daddy I had. He’s my angel now. Rest in love Papi.